Envelope



Sept. 13, 1938. H. H. REINEMAN ENVELOPE Original Filed Jan. 23, 1933 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 13, 1938 ENVELOPE Howard, H. Reinemsn, Brighton, N. if. Application January 23, 1933, Serial No. 652.93%

iiinewed August 12, 1937 r 12 Claims; (El. 229-411 The present invention relates to containers orenvelopes for holding papers, relatively small articles and the like, and has for one object to provide a container or envelope which can be successively sealed, opened, and rescaled whereby to increase its usefulness and to reduce the .number of envelopes required for a given service. A'further object of the invention is to provide an envelope having a flap or sealing portion, the inner face of which is adapted to lie upon a portion of the exterior face or one of the walls of the envelope and in which one of said faces is provided with spaced or separate layers of adhesive material for use successively, through co= ill operation with the other of the faces, to efl'ect sealing, opening, and rescaling of the envelope at successive periods.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved return envelope adapted for holdins papers, small articles, and the like, which can be sent by mail or otherwise delivered, and which is capable of being sealed by the sender and subsequently opened by the receiver to eilect removal of the contents and rescaled with the same or'diflerent contents and returned to the sender, or to other persons as desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide an envelope having improved means by which to facilitate easy and relatively quick opening oi otherwise secured.

A further object of the invention is to provide an envelope having a flap or other closure, a portion of which is adapted to lie'upon a predetermined portion of one of the walls of the en-' velope, one of the portions having adhesive material thereon for cooperation with the other of said portions to efiect sealing of the envelope and said predetermined portion constituting means adapted to be torn ofi after the envelope is sealed whereby to efiect unsealing and release of the closure.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved envelope having a flap or closure provided with adhesive material for sealing the same upon one of the walls of the envelope and between which and said wall is positioned a part extending laterally from the closure after the latter has been sealed, or otherwise rendered ac- 50 cessible for tearing off by means of the fingers or by the use of other means to eifect release of the closure and opening of the envelope. 1

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be, hereinafter more fullyde the same after the closure has been scaled or s after.

scribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is an elevation of an envelope embodying one form of the invention. andshowing the envelope closure in open position;

2 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the parts in closed and sealed position; Fig. 3 is a view in elevation showing the relationship of the parts after the closure has been unsealed and opened ready for subsequent sealing, and

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a. modified form oi" V the invention showing the closure in open position. as it appears before sealing.

The same reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The invention is embodied inthe present instanceby Way of illustration, in an envelope of the typehaving its opening closed by the folding thereover oi a flap or closure which is held in position by suitable securing means such, for

example, as aesive material, which may be applied either to the closure or to that portion of, the envelope upon which the closure lies when in closing position.

The present embodiment is particularly adapted for use a container for photographic film such, for example, as rolls of film or film packsto be sent to the finisher and adapted to contain also the developed negatives and prints to be returned by him to the sender. Such usage requires closing means capable of being readily secured and released and resecured, and where the container is in the form of an envelope, this is efiectedby sealing the flap or closure at one or more points with the contents therein. The envelope is then sent to the finisher and the seal is broken by him to release the contents. After the films are developed and printed both are placed in the envelope which is then rescaled at one or more points and returned to the sender.

In certain usages it may be desired to seal the envelope at but a. single point or in other words to use it without subsequent rescaling. In such cases the envelope can be advantageously used, since it is provided with novel and improved means designed to conveniently and quickly eiiect breaking of the seal and opening of the envelope when desired, as pointed out herein Referring more particularly to the drawing, ,there is shown an envelope having opposite side portions l0 and H, the envelope being. preferably formed in a knownmanner by providing on the side H a longitudinally extending seam comprising the overlapping portions I2 and I3 which are secured one upon another as by means of suitprovided with an auxiliary fiap l5 forming a coupon slip detachably connected with the closure flap M as by means of a scored line at the flap edge Hi, this coupon slip being useful for carrying data for identification of the envelope.

In the use of the envelope as a container for photographic film or other articles, the coupon slip may be detached from the envelope and given to the owner of the films at the time they are left for finishing, and he may be required to subsequently produce the slip at the proper time as a means toidentify the negatives and prints returned to the sender by the finisher sealed in the same or original envelope.

It has been found that an envelope of the above character may be provided with simple but effective means for securing the closure, which in the present instance comprises a plurality of spaced or separate adhesive surfaces i1 and I8 shown located upon the inner face of the closure H but which if preferred may be on the wall H i of the envelope in position to effect sealing between said wall and the closure when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 2.

In this position of the closure, following the first sealing operation, the adhesive surfaces ii! are left unmoistened and consequently are unimpaired and are not therefore effective as sealing means between the closure and the wall ll of the envelope. Sealing is first effected, however, by moistening the adhesive surface l1 and pressing the flap downwardly upon the wall II,

which is preferably provided with a detachable which extend at one side of the adhesive-surface 11 when the closureis in sealing position.

The part l9a. of the tongue which is exposed when the closure is in sealing position comprises means which may be grasped by the fingers to permit the tongue to be torn off whereby to effect unsealing and opening of the envelope as shown in Fig. 3, the tearing being facilitated by the perforations 20, or by scoring if preferred. However, instead of employing the fingers to grasp and release the tongue, any suitable instrument may be inserted beneath the same and pressure exerted thereon in a manner to detach the tongue by tearing it along the line of the perforations, thereby releasing the flap or closure and permitting the contents of the enve lope to be removed.

When the finisher receiving the envelope unseals the closure in the manner described he will then remove the films and complete the developing and printing operations, after which the prints and films are placed within the envelope. Resealing is then effected by moistening the adhesive surfaces I8 and pressing the closure down upon the wall ll of the envelope. The envelope is then returned to the sender and when received by him is given to the owner when called for, without unsealing if desired, or if preferred it may first be unsealed and the contents inspected to determine the condition of the work and to check the number of articles returned. The unsealing of the envelope after it has been returned to the sender may readily be effected by inserting any suitable instrument beneath the closure and moving it to break the seals, after which the contents can easily be removed from the envelope.

It will be understood that the flap when sealed as shown in Fig. 2 may be opened merely by inthe envelope wall H and the flap, in position to register with the layer of adhesive material [1 when the flap is in closing position, in which case a portion of the tongue will extend below the fiap as shown in Fig. 2 in position to be grasped by the fingers. Furthermore, the tongue may be formed of fabric, paper, or other suitable material best a-dapted for the purpose intended.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the envelope is constructed in a manner similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the exception that the seam portion I 3a overlying the portion [2a is cut away at 2| and the detachable part 22 comprises a portion of the wall Ha of the envelope and is formed by slotting the latter at 23 and providing the perforations 24 whereby the part 23 may be readily torn off after the envelope has been sealed by moistening the adhesive surface Ha. and pressing the closure down upon the body of the envelope.

It will be understood that the flap or closure l2a will have adhesive surfaces thereon corresponding to the surfaces l8 of the flap I4 and 'that they will be sealed in the manner described in connection with the adhesive surfaces l8 and will function in the same way and for the same purpose.

I claim:

1. A return envelope having a sealing flap the inner face of which is adapted when in sealing position to lie upon the exterior face of one of the walls of the envelope, said wall having a tongue partly exposed and lying partly beneath the flap when the latter is in closing position, said tongue being unattached at one or more of its sides to said wall and rendered detachable by perforations therein adjacent its connection with said wall, one of said faces having spaced adhesive surfaces for use successively through cooperation with the other of said faces to effect sealing, opening and resealing of the flap at successive periods, one of said surfaces being positioned to effect sealing between the fiap and the underlying portion of said tongue when the flap is in closing position, the exposed portion of the tongue constituting a part adapted to be grasped by the fingers whereby the tongue may be readily torn off to effect release of the fiap.

2. return envelope having a sealing flap the inner face of which is adapted when the flap is in closing position to lie upon the exterior face of: one of the walls otthe envelope, said wall having a detachable portion lying beneath the flap, one said laces having spaced adhesive surfaces and one of said adhesive surfaces being in registry with said detachable portion and serving when moistened to seal the flap upon pressing the latter to closing position upon said exterior face, the removal of said detachable portion serving to open the flap and the latter being adapted for rescaling by moistening another of said surfaces and pressing th flap in closing position upon said wall.

3. A return envelope having a sealing flap the inner face of which is adapted when the flap is in closing position to lie upon the exterior face of one of the walls of the envelope, said wall having a portion lying beneath the flap, said portion being weakened on a line extending transversely of the free edge of the flap to render it detachable from said wall, one of said faces having spaced adhe- .sive surfaces for use successively through cooperation with the other of said faces to efiect sealing, opening and resealing of the flap at successive periods, one of said surfaces being posttioned to effect sealing between the flap and the underlying detachable portion of said wall when the flap is in closing position.

i. A return envelope having one of its side walls providedwith overlapping portions secured one upon another and having on its'opposite side wall a flap the inner face of which is adapted when the flap is in closing position to lie upon'the exterior face of said first mentioned wall, the outer of said overlapping portions having a laterally extending tongue-like extension weakened on a line extending transversely of the free edge of said flap to facilitate its detachment from said wall without separation of said overlapping portions, one of said faces having spaced adhesive surfaces for use successively through cooperation with the other of said faces to effect sealing, opening and rescaling of the flap at successive periods, one of said surfaces being positioned to effect sealing between the flap and said tongue-like extension when the flap is in closed position and the detachment of the tongue-like extension serv= ing to open the flap.

5. An envelope having one of its side walls provided with overlapping portions secured one upon another and havingonits opposite side wall a flap foldable to engage the first mentioned side wall, the outer of said overlapping portions having a laterally extending tongue-like extension overlying the last mentioned wall and weakened on a line extending transversely of the free edge of said flap and rendered readily detachable by tearing it from said wall without disrupting the same, said tongue-like extension being partly exposed and having its outer face portion lying partly beneath the inner face portion of the flap when the-latter is in closed position, one of said face portions having a layer of adhesive material in position to effect sealing between said tonguelike portion and said flap and the flap being opened by tearing off said tongue-like extension.

6. An envelope having a sealing flap for engagement with one of the walls thereof, said wall including a portion the outer face of which is in l position to be engaged by the inner face of the length of the flap, said section being weakened at two sides along lines extending from said slot transversely of the free edge of the flap whereby to render said section detachable, one of said faces having a' layer oi. adhesive material in position'to' egect sealing between the flap and said detachable portion when the flap is in closing position.

7. An envelope of the class described having a pocket closed along one edge by the overlapped margins of two different flap portions of the blank of said envelope, said/overlapped margins being connected adhesively to each other in a zone of limited area appreciably removed from both ends of said edge, the material of the flap portion which provides the underneath margin having therein means substantially in line with said adhesive zone to form an exposed pull tab appreciably oilset from the edge of the uppermost flap portion, whereby a pull on said tab toward said adhesive zone, by tearing of the underneath flap materialin a strip embracing said zone, causes said uppermost flap portion to 'be lifted, for the complete opening of the aforesaid closed edge oi said envelope pocket.

8. An envelope having a pocket closed along one edge by a flap adapted to be lapped over a part of the envelope body, said flap and the overlapped part of the body being adhesively connected to each other in a zone of limited area appreciably removed from both ends of said edge closed by said flap, the portion of said body overlapped by said flap having means substantially in line with said adhesive zone to form an exposed pull tab appreciably ofiset from the edge of said flap, whereby a pull on said tab toward said i adhesive zone will tear the material of the overlapped portion of said body in a strip embracing said zone so that said flap portion may be lifted from said overlapped portion of said body for the complete opening of said closed edge of said envelope. I A

9. An envelope having a pocket closed along one edge by a flap adapted to be lapped over a part or the envelope body, said flap and the overlapped part of the body being adhesively connected to each other in a zone of limited area, the portion oi said body overlapped by said flap having means substantially in line with said adhesive zone to form an exposed pull tab appreciably ofiset from the edge of said flap, whereby a pull on said tab toward said adhesive zone will tear the material of the overlapped portion of said body in a strip embracing said zone sothat said flap portion may be lifted from said overlapped portion of said body for the complete opening of said closed edge oi said envelope.

iii. An envelope having a'pocket closed along one edge by a flap adapted to be lapped over a part of the envelope body, said iiap and the overlapped part of the body being adhesively connected to each other in only a limited area having a dimension in a direction parallel to said edge of only a minor part of the length of said edge, said area being materially offset from at least one end of said edge, and means weakening said body approximately along at least one edge of said area and so arranged that said area may be lifted with respect to the remainder of said body and torn from the remainder of said body in a direction approximately perpendicular to said edge so that said flap may be turned back to an open position to obtain access to the interior of the envelope through said edge.

11. An envelope having two side walls defining opposite sides of a pocket between them, one of said side walls having a flap hinged thereto along one edge of said pocket, to be folded over the other of said side walls in overlapping relation thereto to close said pocket along said edge, the other of said side walls being formed of a plurality of layers overlapped with each other along a joint line extending at a substantial angle to said edge of said pocket, the outer one of said plurality of layers having a tab portion extending laterally a substantial distance from said joint line in overlapping relation to another of said plurality of layers and in' position to be overlapped by said fiap when it is folded over to closed position, means adhesively securing said flap substantially only to said tab portion without securing said flap to other portions of said other side wall, to hold said ilap in said closed position, and means providing a weakened joint between at least a part of said tab portion and the main body of said outer one of said plurality of layers to assist tearing said tab portion from said main body along a tear line extending in approximately to free said flap so that it may be turned up to open said edge of said pocket.

12. An envelope having two side walls forming between them opposite sides of a pocket open along one edge, a closure flap hinged to one of said side walls along said edge of said pocket and arranged to be folded over the other of said side walls in overlapping relation thereto to close said pocket along said edge, said other of said side walls being formed of two portions overlapped with each other and secured to each other along a zone extending approximately perpendicularly to said open edge of said pocket, the outer one of said two overlapped portions having a tab extending laterally beyond said zone in such position that at least a part of said laterally extending tab beyond said zone will underlie said closure flap when said flap is folded over to its closed position, a substantial part of the area of said tab overlapped by said closure flap being free from direct connection with that part of the inner one of said two overlapped portions which it overlaps, and adhesive for securing said closure flap to at least a portion of said free part of said tab when said closure flap is folded over to its closed position.

HOWARD H. REINEMAN. 

